Passive Nuances
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use passive reported speech to focus on the action or the receiver when the source is unknown or unimportant.
- Use 'di-' verbs for the passive action: 'Dikatakan bahwa...' (It is said that...)
- Keep the reported clause in the active voice: 'Dikatakan bahwa dia datang' (It is said that he came).
- Avoid mentioning the agent unless necessary using 'oleh': 'Dikatakan oleh saksi bahwa...' (It is said by the witness that...).
Meanings
This structure allows speakers to report information, rumors, or news without needing to specify the original speaker, emphasizing the content over the source.
General Reporting
Reporting facts or rumors neutrally.
“Dikatakan bahwa dia sudah pergi.”
“Dipercaya bahwa bumi itu bulat.”
Official Statements
Reporting official findings or conclusions.
“Ditetapkan bahwa rapat dimulai jam 9.”
“Diputuskan bahwa proyek ini ditunda.”
Passive Reporting Verbs
| Active | Passive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Katakan | Dikatakan | Is said |
| Laporkan | Dilaporkan | Is reported |
| Umumkan | Diumumkan | Is announced |
| Percaya | Dipercaya | Is believed |
| Tetapkan | Ditetapkan | Is decided |
| Nyatakan | Dinyatakan | Is declared |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Di-verb + bahwa + Clause | Dikatakan bahwa dia datang. |
| Negative | Tidak + di-verb + bahwa + Clause | Tidak dikatakan bahwa dia datang. |
| Question | Apakah + di-verb + bahwa + Clause? | Apakah dikatakan bahwa dia datang? |
| Formal | Dinyatakan bahwa... | Dinyatakan bahwa rapat ditunda. |
| Informal | Katanya... | Katanya dia datang. |
| Passive Agent | Di-verb + oleh + Agent + bahwa... | Dikatakan oleh saksi bahwa dia datang. |
Espectro de formalidade
Dikatakan bahwa beliau akan hadir. (Reporting an arrival)
Dikatakan bahwa dia akan datang. (Reporting an arrival)
Katanya dia mau datang. (Reporting an arrival)
Katanya dia otw. (Reporting an arrival)
Passive Reporting Structure
Connectors
- bahwa that
Common Verbs
- dikatakan is said
- dilaporkan is reported
Examples by Level
Dikatakan bahwa dia baik.
It is said that he is good.
Diberitakan bahwa hujan turun.
It is reported that it is raining.
Dikatakan bahwa dia datang.
It is said that he is coming.
Dikatakan bahwa ini benar.
It is said that this is true.
Dilaporkan bahwa jalan ditutup.
It is reported that the road is closed.
Dipercaya bahwa dia jujur.
It is believed that he is honest.
Diumumkan bahwa toko tutup.
It is announced that the shop is closed.
Dikatakan bahwa mereka menang.
It is said that they won.
Ditetapkan bahwa rapat dimulai jam 8.
It is decided that the meeting starts at 8.
Diasumsikan bahwa masalah selesai.
It is assumed that the problem is solved.
Diharapkan bahwa semua hadir.
It is expected that everyone attends.
Dinyatakan bahwa dia bersalah.
It is declared that he is guilty.
Diinstruksikan bahwa setiap staf harus hadir.
It is instructed that every staff member must attend.
Dikonfirmasi bahwa data telah diterima.
It is confirmed that the data has been received.
Disarankan bahwa kita harus pergi.
It is suggested that we should go.
Ditegaskan bahwa aturan tetap berlaku.
It is emphasized that the rules still apply.
Diindikasikan bahwa tren pasar akan berubah.
It is indicated that market trends will change.
Diproklamirkan bahwa perdamaian telah dicapai.
It is proclaimed that peace has been achieved.
Diverifikasi bahwa informasi tersebut akurat.
It is verified that the information is accurate.
Disinyalir bahwa ada ketidaksesuaian data.
It is suspected that there is a data discrepancy.
Dikonseptualisasikan bahwa perubahan ini bersifat sistemik.
It is conceptualized that this change is systemic.
Diimplikasikan bahwa keputusan tersebut bersifat final.
It is implied that the decision is final.
Divalidasi bahwa hipotesis tersebut benar.
It is validated that the hypothesis is correct.
Dianulir bahwa kontrak tersebut tidak sah.
It is annulled that the contract is invalid.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up active and passive reporting.
Learners use 'Katanya' in formal writing.
Confusing reporting with physical actions.
Erros comuns
Orang bilang bahwa...
Dikatakan bahwa...
Dikatakan dia bahwa...
Dikatakan bahwa dia...
Dikatakan oleh bahwa...
Dikatakan bahwa...
Dikatakan bahwa dia adalah datang.
Dikatakan bahwa dia datang.
Dilaporkan dia bahwa...
Dilaporkan bahwa dia...
Diumumkan oleh bahwa...
Diumumkan bahwa...
Dikatakan bahwa mereka adalah menang.
Dikatakan bahwa mereka menang.
Ditetapkan oleh manajer bahwa...
Ditetapkan bahwa...
Diasumsikan bahwa dia akan pergi ke sana.
Diasumsikan bahwa dia akan pergi.
Dinyatakan bahwa dia bersalah oleh hakim.
Dinyatakan oleh hakim bahwa dia bersalah.
Diindikasikan bahwa tren pasar akan berubah oleh analis.
Diindikasikan oleh analis bahwa tren pasar akan berubah.
Diverifikasi bahwa informasi itu adalah benar.
Diverifikasi bahwa informasi itu benar.
Disinyalir bahwa ada ketidaksesuaian data oleh sistem.
Disinyalir oleh sistem bahwa ada ketidaksesuaian data.
Sentence Patterns
Dikatakan bahwa ___ akan terjadi.
Dilaporkan bahwa ___ telah selesai.
Diumumkan bahwa ___ akan ditutup.
Dipercaya bahwa ___ adalah benar.
Real World Usage
Dilaporkan bahwa korban telah ditemukan.
Diumumkan bahwa kantor libur besok.
Dikatakan bahwa akun ini akan dihapus.
Diumumkan bahwa pesawat akan terbang.
Diasumsikan bahwa data ini akurat.
Ditetapkan bahwa dilarang merokok.
Use 'bahwa'
No Agent
Formal Tone
News Style
Smart Tips
Use 'Dilaporkan bahwa' to sound like a journalist.
Use 'Dikatakan bahwa' to distance yourself from the gossip.
Use 'Diumumkan bahwa' for clarity.
Use 'Dipercaya bahwa' for general beliefs.
Pronúncia
Stress
Stress the root verb, not the 'di-' prefix.
Reporting
Dikatakan bahwa... (rising tone on 'bahwa')
Signals that more information is coming.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Di-Bahwa' as 'The-That' bridge.
Visual Association
Imagine a megaphone floating in the air with no one holding it. The sound coming out is the passive report.
Rhyme
Di-verb plus bahwa, makes the news flow, far and near.
Story
A rumor starts in a village. No one knows who started it. Everyone says 'Dikatakan bahwa...' (It is said that...). The rumor grows until it becomes a fact.
Word Web
Desafio
Write 3 sentences about the weather or news using 'Dikatakan bahwa' today.
Notas culturais
Indonesian news outlets rely heavily on passive reporting to maintain neutrality.
In offices, passive reporting is used to avoid blaming individuals.
While 'Katanya' is used for gossip, passive reporting is used for 'official' rumors.
Derived from the Austronesian passive prefix 'di-'.
Conversation Starters
Apa yang dikatakan tentang proyek ini?
Apakah dilaporkan bahwa cuaca akan buruk?
Apa yang diumumkan di kantor hari ini?
Apakah dipercaya bahwa dia akan menang?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
___ bahwa dia akan datang.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dikatakan oleh bahwa dia sakit.
Mereka mengatakan bahwa dia jujur.
bahwa / dilaporkan / ditutup / jalan
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Which is more formal?
___ bahwa rapat ditunda.
Score: /8
Exercicios praticos
8 exercises___ bahwa dia akan datang.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dikatakan oleh bahwa dia sakit.
Mereka mengatakan bahwa dia jujur.
bahwa / dilaporkan / ditutup / jalan
Dikatakan ->
Which is more formal?
___ bahwa rapat ditunda.
Score: /8
Perguntas frequentes (8)
Yes, but only if you are specifying the source, e.g., 'Dikatakan oleh saksi bahwa...'.
It is used in formal or serious conversations, but 'katanya' is more common for casual talk.
It acts as a bridge between the reporting verb and the reported clause.
Only for verbs of communication or cognition like 'katakan', 'lapor', 'percaya'.
Yes, for passive reporting, the 'di-' prefix is standard.
Add 'tidak' before the passive verb.
Yes, it is considered formal and objective.
Yes, if you are sharing news or official updates.
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Indonesian uses 'bahwa' while Spanish uses 'que'.
On dit que...
French is active in form, Indonesian is passive.
Es wird gesagt, dass...
German requires a comma before 'dass'.
～と言われている
Japanese places the verb at the end.
يُقال أن...
Arabic is highly inflected.
据说...
Chinese does not use a conjunction like 'bahwa'.
